Lily Vee Johnson

Bus Stop: The video

2016-10-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Yikes! Lol. I haven't been here in ages. Well, life has been happening. I am going to move this blog to my website soon or it would be for redirecting people to my website. Or something.
Meanwhile if you haven't seen Bus Stop, here you are!

I will be back.

❤❤

Featured: MystiScents

2015-03-10T01:40:00.001-07:00

Hi guys! I mentioned MystiScents in my last post right? Well here it is....!

MystiScents is a Bath&Body and Perfumery business I started a few months ago. We currently have ExPolish, perfumed body sprays and Designer type concentrated body oils.

It has always been my dream to have a line of body care products and now even though it hasn't been easy, I am enjoying the process and the positive feed back from our increasing number of customers.

To learn more about MystiScents Expolish, please read here

Then the lovely Designer type concentrated perfume oils. With these oils that are skin safe and non flammable, you get to enjoy your favourite perfumes in a body oil form and they are very affordable! They last all day and very true to the designer fragrances.

Watch this video to get more information about MystiScents Designer type perfume oils.

Please like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MystiScents

Wishing you all a very fruitful week!

Lily.

She is back! removing cobwebs

2015-01-31T13:19:00.001-08:00

I was at Nutty Jay's blog and when I was waiting for my comment to load on the site, (it never did) my eyes strolled to her blog roll and I saw Lily Vee Johnson and underneath that, 8months!!!. I haven't blogged in 8 months. Time flies like crazy.

OK between dislocating my shoulder, working on a project that went straight to blazes and working on my business MystiScents (Bath&Body and Perfumery.. I will be talking about that here) 8 months have passed. Hmmm! I can only say thank God for life. And yes I am very good now thank you. And I hope you all are too.

Music? That should pick up this year by His Grace. A whole lot of unexpected stuff happened and I just had to halt and take my time. The industry is quite an interesting one. Gist for another day.

Today, I made green tea and squeezed a bit of lime into it and it was what I needed to rid my system of toxins and stuff (Please pretend you don't know what I am talking about here). But it is seriously good. I saw General Mohammadu Buhari taking lemons or was it lime with a beverage (He doesn't look bad for his age now does he?) and remembered that tiny tangy detail and yep it was cool.

I will be blogging more this year because I know I will have a lot of good stuff to talk about. And I hope you guys get to read them.

Stay beautiful as always.

Lily Vee Johnson.

Antioxidants: How much are you getting?

2014-10-14T05:28:00.001-07:00

As we age, our bodies will need all the extra help it can get to function optimally. Most times a person's age shows on the skin; the sagging, wrinkles and age spots. However, some people experience accelerated/premature skin aging and this is due to the attack of free radicals in the body.
These free radicals are mostly produced by toxins in the environment like tobacco/gas smoke and ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds.

Antioxidants are substances that help the body fight these free radicals and protect it from its damaging effects thereby improving the quality of the skin and the general well being of the body.

Source

These are the names of some antioxidants so you might want to check your supplements to be sure you are getting what you should.

• Hydroxytyrosol: Still not well known and primarily found in the olive (fruit, leaves and pulp), this powerful antioxidant is touted to have the highest level of free radical absorption activity ever reported for a natural antioxidant.
Read more about Hydroxytyrosol here

• Astaxanthin: This carotenoid is still not widely known but is said to improve eye and heart health and also protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation.
Read more about Astaxanthin here

• Alpha lipoic acid (ALA): This metabolic antioxidant which is found in natural food sources, attacks free radicals and aids the body's conversion of food into energy.
Read more about Alpha lipoic acid here

Glutathione: Became quite famous as it was discovered that this powerful antioxidant detoxifies the body system and when combined with Vitamin C can effectively lighten the skin.
Read more about Glutathione here

Melatonin: This antioxidant which is a hormone produced in the brain, increases the effectiveness of the body's defence mechanism.

Dear Woman: Care to share your daily beauty regimen?

2014-06-18T22:09:00.001-07:00

Mrs Somi Obum, business development manager at LaserDerm Clinics, Lagos did me the honour of sharing her beauty regimen on my blog. I found it interesting that she wanted to share because some women just don't want to.

Now the bit about seeing a dermatologist is important especially if you have a skin condition. I can't stress that enough

Here is her piece. Enjoy..

I never knew how important it is to take care of ones skin until I started working at an aesthetic and laser skin care centre.It's amazing how a little exposure can awaken you to a whole world of possibilities. There I was minding my business when my sister walked up to me and said "Your face is getting rather dark, or should I say black".I said to myself that's not possible because I stayed out of the sun as much as I could and I used a cream that had 'Fade Out' boldly printed on it...how could I possibly be getting darker on the face.

So as a remedy, I felt the best thing to do was to avoid the sun some more and if I had to step out, not use the cream on my face 'maybe the sun and the cream don't work well together'.What a primitive way of thinking.

I began working at Laserderm Clinics and one of the first things I went through was consultation, yes, for my face. The consultant noticed the mess going on with it and decided to school me. The first question I was asked was what my skin care regime was. Of course I had none. Next question was what I used on my face in terms of cream.Let's just say I got scolded by the time I mentioned my Fade Out cream. Last question was if I use suncreen and how often; cutting to the chase, two months later and my face complexion now blends with the rest of my body, its not as oily as it was and feels like a baby's bum.

How was this achieved in such a short period?! Discipline!

MORNING: Wash in the morning with facial cleanser, use a masque which contains granules so it also acts as an exfoliator (do this twice a week), apply a hydrating intense moisturizer (skin may be left dry after cleansing and exfoliating so a hydrating moisturizer would provide the right balance), you could use a serum to promote hydration and reduce signs of aging...this helps in softening the skin...gives a velvety smooth feel, then finish with your sunscreen. For the kind of sun we have here in Nigeria, I advise a minimum of spf 32. Sunscreen should be re-applied as the day goes on to maintain protection.

EVENING: Wash face with cleanser, apply a hydrating repair creme, finish up with your serum. Keeping it nice and simple.

So key pointers to remember...

1. Wash face with warm water to open up the pores and finish with a splash of cold water to close the pores.

2. Quantity of cleanser to be used during wash should be coin size.

3. Your cleanser replaces your soap for your face henceforth.

4. Always remember to use a sunscreen min spf 32 even when it's not sunny.

5. Visit a dermatologist to find out your skin type and what products would be suitable for you.

Thanks for taking your time to read...

Somi.

Stay beautiful people!

Lily Johnson.

Posted via Blogaway

Mirror Mirror on the wall..omg! Wait, who is that girl??

2014-06-03T01:45:00.001-07:00

Ah! My 'skinny like this' days are so over.

I used to exercise at least four times a week. I was all into squats, belly crunches, using the treadmill and jogging. I loved the idea of doing some physical activity to burn some fat which only seemed to stay in my lower body. Then I stopped because I felt I was at my ideal weight and even got skinner than I wanted. (Oh you know that saying 'You can't get too rich or too skinny'? I only believe the 'Can't get too rich part')

So last week, I discovered that I had gained 7kg and my tailor confirmed that my normal (and somewhat stable) statistics had changed.(Yep, a sister drifted from 36-28-39 to 36-29-42).And I decided to start exercising again.

Now this is for people who do not have a lot of time (or loads of energy) but want to lose weight (not lots of it). This is what I do now and it works.

Before anything use a body cleanser. Now some stuff that people sell as 'herbal cleansers are not to be joked with. If you are in Lagos, you will see many hawkers selling stuff in bottles and it claims to cleanse and cure. If used excessively, a doctor told me it would stress your liver. That is why I favour the Aloe Vera gel from Forever Living. One can hardly go wrong with pure aloe Vera gel. So I take a small cup of this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Then I exercise for 10mins 5 days a week. Belly crunches, squats, then 5mins on d treadmill. I do this before I have my bath in d morning and face my day. I am not big on breakfast. I usually do green or black tea when I feel like it. It doesn't have to be a total gym work out at first. You build on it. 5mins today, 10 mins tomorrow until you are huffing and puffing in the gym for hours. I am barely watching what I eat to be honest but I have cut down on the sweet stuff. Watching what you eat is important.

After a week, you should see a difference. I did. I have lost more than half of what I gained and I sort of like where I am now so I am not in a hurry to lose the other half.

Happy new month guys and I wish you the very best in all you do.

Lily Johnson

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Product review: CLEAR CELL Medicated Acne Scrub.

2014-05-26T01:10:00.001-07:00

I have always had issues finding a good facial scrub for my acne-prone skin; one that will not break me out even more or leave my face feeling sore. I got this product and here is my review.

About the product and how to use it.
Use this Sea Salt and Benzoyl Peroxide cleansing scrub to kill bacteria and exfoliate dead skin cells. Oils that clog pores will be scrubbed away with micro exfoliant beads, leaving skin looking refreshed and renewed.

This scrub is excellent for back acne and ideal for acne and acne prone skin. It only takes a small amount, gently massaged into the skin for one minute for a fresh, shine free finish. Rinse off with cool water.

Stronger than the other cleansers,
this can still be used daily, both morning and evening. Benzoyl Peroxide serves as an anti-bacterial and Micro-Exfoliant Beads slough off dead skin cells. Comfrey Root is soothing to irritated skin. Arnica Montana and Horse Chestnut are both Anti-inflammatory ingredients.

I found Clear Cell Medicated Acne scrub to be better than facial scrubs I have used in the past. I like the minty cooling effect you get when using it. My face was smoother and the acne less obvious with each use.

You need just this much to scrub your face so the bottle should last a while.

The micro beads ain't exactly 'micro' and a bit harder than the facial scrubs I used. Maybe because it can be used for acne on the body as well. Though it's not uncomfortable, one doesn't need to apply a lot of pressure when using it to avoid over exfoliating.

See the beads?

It is drying but not to the point of having all the moisture in your face sucked out. You do need a good moisturizer and sunscreen during the day when using this product.

This scrub is also a part of a regimen so you will need to use it with other Clear Cell products for acne for good results.

Have a beautiful week ahead!

Lily Johnson.

Posted via Blogaway

Self Assessment Time: Am I a hot headed person??

2014-05-22T02:57:00.003-07:00

Steve, a dear friend of mine who is a veteran in social work and human relations thought he should ask me some self assessment questions. I had been telling him about some situations I'd found myself in for some days now.

You know those days it feels like everyone sort of got paid or something to annoy the hell out of you?

Take for example, how are you suppose to react when you pay for something, get a date for the service to be performed and the service provider keeps postponing and postponing without an apology? And when you complain, the person gets angry and even disrespects you? Or a person stands you up after setting a meeting with you and someone you invited for a business talk and didn't even bother to offer a reason or an apology or any word? Pause and think about it.

So the self assessment questions and my answers.

Steve: Do you have a short fuse?
Lily: Not really depends.

Steve: Do you feel a need to fight your corner in most situations that you feel attacked?
Lily: Most times.

Steve: Do you think you are sensitive and sometimes get defensive?
Lily: Sometimes yes.

Steve: Okay exams finished. I am like that too but lately I'm working on me and reflecting on my triggers and responses. I'm choosing my battles and expending less energy on those things I would in the past have considered irritants.

Now, Steve thinks I might be a bit of a hot head and his advice is for me to choose my battles. Which means you don't have to let everything that should annoy you get to the stage of doing so. Or even when they do, you can decide this shouldn't be one of the things I'll expend my energy on. Of course I don't go yelling at people but most times, you are going to hear how I feel about what happened in a voice that isn't exactly 'of good cheer'. Unless of course I don't think it is worth it. Sometimes, I say nothing.

I am one of those people that wonder how some people can disappoint or not meet up with expectations and feel 'Oh, I don't owe them an apology because I was in traffic. I had another appointment. I was overwhelmed with work.' These things happen but that doesn't mean you should not apologise because your actions though with a reason, might have ruined something for the other person. I would be full of apologies because I don't know what damage I had done. Besides, it's courteous.

So how would you answer the questions above and what do you think?

Stay cool.

Lily Johnson.

Posted via Blogaway

Microdermabrasion: All you need to know and more.

2014-05-17T00:42:00.001-07:00

Microdermabrasion is a light cosmetic procedure that uses a mechanical medium for exfoliation to gently remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis. It is a non-invasive procedure and may be performed in-office by a trained skin care professional. It may also be performed at home using a variety of products which are designed to mechanically exfoliate the skin.

Many salon machines and home-use machines use adjustable suction to improve the efficacy of the abrasion tool. Recently, cosmetic scrub products that contain fine grit made from the pits of various fruits and from other materials are using the term microdermabrasion in their marketing.

Microdermabrasion is a fairly simple, easy, painless, non-invasive, skin rejuvenation procedure using a combination of a fine abrasive tip or crystals and vacuum suction applied to the skin. Typically there are no needles or anesthetics required for microdermabrasion. The vacuum pressure and speed are adjusted depending on the sensitivity and tolerance of the skin.

Typical microdermabrasion sessions can last anywhere from 5–60 minutes. Minimal to no recovery time is required after microdermabrasion and most people immediately return to daily activity after a session. Makeup and non-irritating creams can usually be applied within a few hours or right after microdermabrasion.

Since there is an often immediate increased minor skin sensitivity after microdermabrasion, irritating products like glycolic acids, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Retinoid products or fragranced creams and lotions are typically avoided right after the procedure.

Traditionally, crystal microdermabrasion system contains a pump, a connecting tube, a hand piece, and a vacuum source. While the pump creates a high-pressure stream of inert crystals, such as aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate, to abrade the skin, the vacuum removes the crystals and exfoliated skin cells.

Generally, the slower the movement of the microdermabrasion hand-piece against the skin and the greater the numbers of passes over the skin, the deeper the skin treatment.

Since human skin typically regenerates at approximately 30 day intervals, skin improvement with microdermabrasion is temporary and needs to be repeated at average intervals of two - four weeks for continued improvement. Multiple treatments in combination with sunscreen, sun avoidance, and other skin care creams yield best results.

Who should consider Microdermabrasion?
People with acne and acne scars, sunspots, fine wrinkles and rough facial skin.

I have talked about my tempremental facial skin and acne issues on here. I recently got microdermasion done at LaserDerm Clinics, Lagos . During the procedure, you feel just very light stings when the machine goes over acne. It is not painful at all. After the first procedure, you will notice a smoother face though you will need more done to really see great results.

**If you have serious acne and cosmetic products are not working, I strongly advise you go the medical route.

Stay beautiful and have a lovely weekend!

Lily Johnson

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Stress Sweat: It just might not be body odor.

2014-05-14T06:46:00.001-07:00

I was reading a magazine and stumbled on an article on sweating and got to know there are two types of sweat; the
ordinary sweat and stress sweat.

Stress sweat smells very different (and more stinky) from ordinary sweat. You get ordinary sweat when you exercise or when a place is hot. But when you are stressed out physically, mentally, emotionally or any other way, that sweat you get is stress sweat and studies show people can smell it and it might even affect how you are perceived. Read here to see how stress sweat changes how men perceive women.

This really means that the offensive odor we perceive on people sometimes and conclude they have body odor might just be stress sweat. The guy might just be overly anxious about that first date or interview and the girl might have crazy confidence issues.

You avoid stress sweat by generally reducing stress. So stay away from people and unnecessary situations that do nothing but give you stress. There are breathing techniques also and yoga.

Read here for more information and expert advice on stress sweating and here for information on how to combat stress and be cool.

Stay lovely!

Lily Johnson

Posted via Blogaway

Lily Vee Johnson

Bus Stop: The video

Featured: MystiScents

She is back! *removing cobwebs*

Antioxidants: How much are you getting?

Dear Woman: Care to share your daily beauty regimen?

Mirror Mirror on the wall..omg! Wait, who is that girl??

Product review: CLEAR CELL Medicated Acne Scrub.

Self Assessment Time: Am I a hot headed person??

Microdermabrasion: All you need to know and more.

Stress Sweat: It just might not be body odor.

She is back! removing cobwebs